Matt's matchups

October 26, 2006

The post-season started on a solid note for me by going 23-3 in week one. My overall record is now 187-50, good for 79 percent. The only miscues were Culver Military over Lakeland, Guerin Catholic over Winamac and Rensselaer over Knox. CLASS 5-AElkhart Central (6-4) at LaPorte (7-3) (Sectional 2 at Kiwanis Field): Speedy running back Randall Bond and the Blazers are looking to avenge a 42-13 loss to LaPorte back on Aug. 25 in which they allowed 240 yards rushing. Quarterback Adam Creed and the Slicers rolled up more than 400 total yards and 20 first downs last week against Mishawaka. The winner moves on to play Penn or Clay. LaPorte 39, Elkhart Central 20.Clay (7-3) at Penn (8-2) (Sectional 2 at Freed Field): The Colonials and top runner Austin Gammage (758 yards) hope for better luck this time after suffering a 36-7 setback to No. 6 Penn. Clint Miller has emerged as the Kingsmen's second leading rusher with 370 yards. The survivor will host either LaPorte or Elkhart Central in next week's championship game. Penn 28, Clay 17.Warsaw (2-8) at Homestead (9-1) (Sectional 3 at Dave Walters Stadium): The Tigers will go to battle with freshman quarterback Justin Clemens as both senior Tyler Akers and junior Ben Higgins are out with season-ending knee injuries. The No. 8 Spartans came away with a 28-6 win at Tiger Field back on Aug. 25 and downed Goshen, 35-14, last week. Next up for the winner is either No. 7 Marion (9-1) or No. 10 Fort Wayne Snider (8-2).Homestead 33, Warsaw 13.CLASS 4-AWawasee (8-2) at Plymouth (7-3) (Sectional 10 at The Rockpile): Placekicker Jon Miller was the hero for the Warriors with a 25-yard field goal in the closing seconds of their 31-29 triumph over Plymouth back on Sept. 23. Brent Corbett is tops for the Rockies in all-purpose yardage with an average of 130 yards per contest. The winner will travel to play DeKalb or Concord next week. Wawasee 28, Plymouth 27.DeKalb (5-5) at Concord (10-0) (Sectional 10 at Dunlap Field): Second leading receiver James Cira (900 yards) and the No. 2 Minutmen are averaging 426 yards of offense per game this season. The Barons earned their spot in the sectional semifinals with a 27-6 victory over Angola. A date with Wawasee or Plymouth awaits the winner. Concord 49, DeKalb 12.CLASS 3-ANorthWood (6-4) at Culver Military (8-2) (Sectional 19 at Oliver Field): The defending state champion Panthers and running back Danzelle Johnson have erupted for 143 points during their current five-game winning streak. Trevor Grywatch has been a force defensively for the Eagles with 14 tackles for losses and nine quarterback sacks. CMA escaped with a 27-20 victory over NorthWood back on Aug. 25. The winner will advance to play at Marian or New Prairie. NorthWood 24, Culver Military 21.Marian (8-2) at New Prairie (9-1) (Sectional 19 at Amzie Miller Field): Brannon Parker and the Knights' defensive unit have surrendered just 409 total yards in winning three straight contests. Fullback Nick Cummings and the No. 5 Cougars average nearly 400 total yards of offense per contest. The survivor gets to host either NorthWood or Culver Military in next week's title game.New Prairie 34, Marian 21.CLASS 2-ANorth Judson (9-1) at Rensselaer (4-6) (Sectional 25 at Harrison Field): In addition to being the No. 10 Bluejays' third leading rusher (531 yards), Terry Howard is also the team leader with six interceptions. Milos Martinovic accounted for the only points with a 21-yard field goal in North Judson's 3-0 win over the Bombers back on Sept. 1. Rensselaer advanced with a 23-0 blanking of Knox last week. The winner moves on to play Hammond Noll (7-3) or Guerin Catholic (4-6). North Judson 20, Rensselaer 10.Eastside (8-2) at Fairfield (10-0) (Sectional 26 at Falcon Field): Lineman Lyle Miller and the No. 4 Falcons' defense have recorded six shutouts and allowed just 47 points through the first 10 games. Fairfield handed the Blazers their lone Northeast Corner Conference loss with a 45-12 win on Sept. 15. Eastside moved on with 27-7 decision over Bremen. The winner hits the road to play at Jimtown or Garrett. Fairfield 38, Eastside 24.Jimtown (8-2) at Garrett (4-6) (Sectional 26 at Memorial Field): Defensive back David Schenk is tops for the No. 7 Jimmies with three interceptions. On its way to the state title, Jimtown defeated the Railroaders 29-0 in last year's sectional finale. Garrett defeated Central Noble last week, 27-9. A home game with Fairfield or Eastside goes to the victor. Jimtown 30, Garrett 12.Harding (7-3) at Rochester (6-4) (Sectional 27 at Barnhart Field): Running back Josh Runkle and the Zebras have accumulated more than 700 yards rushing in winning three straight games. The Hawks advanced with a 56-14 win over Woodlan. The winner next gets to play at either No. 1 Cass (10-0) or No. 2 Heritage (10-0). Rochester 20, Harding 16.CLASS 1-AWest Central (4-6) at Whiting (8-2) (Sectional 33 at Ray Gallivan Stadium): Quarterback Justin Nelson and Trojans downed Whiting to win the sectional crown in 2004 and 2005. The Oilers earned their spot in the semifinals with a 35-14 win over Culver. Next up for the winner is matchup against South Central or South Newton. Whiting 28, West Central 13.South Central (5-5) at South Newton (10-0) (Sectional 33 at Rebels Stadium): Running back Cody Williams and the Satellites rolled up more than 800 yards rushing in back-to-back victories over River Forest. The No. 3 Rebels advanced with a 51-20 triumph over LaVille. West Central or Whiting is the next opponent for the winner.South Newton 40, South Central 18.